I'm the person who always buys way too much food, especially when it comes to charcuterie. I want all the meats and all the cheeses. And leftover charcuterie isn't a bad thing...right? But after almost 30 years of hosting, I've learned that the board does a lot of the planning for you. Pick the right board size first, and figuring out how much food you'll need gets so much easier.
The quick answer: For an appetizer, use a 12-inch board for 2 to 4 people, an 18-inch board (or 12 × 18 rectangle) for 5 to 8, and a 24-inch board (or 18 × 24 rectangle) for up to 14. If the board is dinner, go up one size.
Charcuterie Board Size Chart
| Board | Guests (appetizer) | Guests (board is the meal) | Round | Rectangle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | 1–2 | 1 | 8–10 in | 8 × 10 in |
| Small | 2–4 | 2 | 12 in | 10 × 12 in |
| Medium | 5–8 | 3–4 | 16–18 in | 12 × 18 or 14 × 18 in |
| Large | 9–14 | 5–7 | 20–24 in | 16 × 24 or 18 × 24 in |
| Extra large | 15–20 | 8–10 | 30 in or more | 20 × 30 in, or two large boards |
| Grazing table | 20+ | 10+ | n/a | A 6-foot table feeds about 30–50 |
Once you know your board size, use our charcuterie calculator to get a full shopping list for your guest count.
Table of Contents
If you've never made a charcuterie board, you may want to start with the steps to make a charcuterie board, the best cheeses and best meats to buy, or an introduction to charcuterie.
How to Choose the Right Board Size
The most important (and obvious) question is how many people are you serving? Once you know that number, the rest is easy, I promise. Then ask yourself three more questions.
- Is it an appetizer or the meal? If you're serving a board as the main meal, you'll need about twice as much food per person, so it needs about twice the space. So if you're planning a charcuterie dinner, go up one size.
- How long will people graze? A board that's out for an hour before dinner can be smaller than one that's the main appetizer for a three-hour party. For longer parties, go up a size or keep extra food in the fridge to refill the board (I choose to refill my boards as the night goes on).
- Does anyone have dietary restrictions? If someone is vegan, you might use two smaller boards to keep the meat separate. Nut allergies matter even more, so keep nuts in a separate bowl or skip them entirely.
Board Sizes by Number of Guests
A quick note about the boards in these photos: I build my boards to be refilled as the night goes on. I keep the rest of the food in the fridge and top off the board whenever it starts to look picked over. It keeps everything looking fresh and the board looks full all night.
Mini Boards (1 to 2 People)
An 8- to 10-inch board (or an 8 × 10 rectangle) is just right for one or two people. Think a cheese plate with a glass of wine, or a little board for a movie night. Mini boards are also great as individual servings at a party, so each guest gets their own. When I was still running my personal chef business, I'd put individual boards directly on the table as the first course (and I still do that for my dinner parties at home).
Small Boards (2 to 4 People)
A small board is about 12 inches round, or about 10 × 12 inches. It's best for a few people or a romantic night in. It's the size board I use every year for Valentine's Day, and it's always the perfect size for us.
A small board can hold a surprisingly large amount of food! If it's just for two and you want the board to look full, add a couple of extra clusters of grapes that can be easily packed up and saved for later. We often snack longer than we'd planned, so I'd rather put out a bit more food than I think we'll need.
Medium Boards (5 to 8 People)
A medium board is the most popular size: about 16 to 18 inches round, or a 12 × 18 or 14 × 18 rectangle. It feeds 5 to 8 people as the main appetizer, and up to 10 as a light snack before dinner. If it's the meal, it's enough for 3 or 4.
This size works for the holidays, game nights, a dinner party, or casual get-togethers like book clubs. It's also great for summer barbecues (but keep it out of direct sunlight and don't let the food sit out in the heat for long).
If you're feeding only five people but want the board completely filled in, add extras of larger items like grapes or crackers. You could also add a few desserts like the image below, where I added Maple Leaf cookies and mini-leaf shortbread cookies to help fill in some empty spaces.
Large Boards (9 to 14 People)
A large board is about 20 to 24 inches round, or a 16 × 24 or 18 × 24 rectangle. It's a great size for a big family holiday or a party. For a group this size, keeping a wheel of cheese whole or adding a "river" of folded salami helps fill the board quickly.
Extra-Large Boards (15 to 20 People)
For 15 to 20 people, you'll want a board that's 30 inches or longer, like a 20 × 30 rectangle. If you don't have a board this large, use two boards instead. Two boards also make room for your guests so there's no crowding around a single board.
You can also just put down parchment paper and skip the board altogether, like I did in the image below:
Grazing Tables (20+ People)
A grazing table is the best way to serve charcuterie to a crowd of 20 or more. It's a great choice for weddings, showers, holiday parties and work events. Everyone has snacks for hours, and you don't have to make individual hot appetizers.
You shouldn't leave food out for longer than two hours, so plan to keep extra ingredients in the refrigerator and refill the board as ingredients dwindle.
A standard 6-foot table feeds about 30 to 50 people as an appetizer. Caterers usually plan about 6 to 8 guests per foot of table when the grazing table is the main appetizer. A grazing table is also easy to adjust to the size of your crowd. If your table is smaller, add some boxes to add "tiers" to give you more space and some height. If your table is bigger, you can add flowers, drinks, or photos to the empty areas.
Choose a table with room for a few boards: fruit, a cheese board, and other foods. We also have some inexpensive grazing table ideas if you're working on a budget.
How to Measure a Charcuterie Board
Measure only the flat surface you'll actually put food on. Many boards are sold by their total length, and a handle can add 4 to 6 inches that won't hold any food. For example, a 24-inch paddle board might only give you an 18-inch surface.
For round boards, measure straight across the middle. For rectangles, measure the length and width of the flat surface, then find the closest size in the chart above. If your board falls between two sizes, go with the smaller size's guest count.
Which Shape Is Best?
- Round boards make a great centerpiece, and everyone can reach the food from any side.
- Rectangles fit most tables and countertops, and they're the easiest shape to fill.
- Long, narrow boards work well down the middle of a dining table or buffet, where guests can serve themselves from both sides.
- Paddle boards with a handle are easy to carry and pass around (but remember the handle doesn't count toward the size).
- Live-edge and irregular boards are very pretty and have a lot of character. Measure the narrowest part, since that's what limits how much food fits.
No Board? Make Your Own Size
What if you don't have a board in the right size, or don't have a board at all? A plate, platter or even a cutting board will work. If you'd rather not show off the board, just cover it with a sheet of parchment paper and no one will be the wiser. Even a shallow box can do the trick, like this Easter charcuterie board. All your guests care about is the gorgeous display of food!
Another option is to skip the board entirely and use just parchment paper. Lay a few sheets down the center of a table or kitchen island and build your board right on the paper. It's like a grazing table for a smaller group, and it works for any size.
A grazing table looks more interesting if you break up the sections. Here's an example of small bites on their own raised board:
Shopping for a Board in the Right Size
If you're buying a board, think about the material along with the size. The bigger the board, the more the material matters.
- Wood like acacia, maple, walnut and olive wood are the most popular choices, and they're still light enough to carry. Olive wood is our personal favorite for its beautiful grain.
- Marble and slate are gorgeous for small and medium boards, but at 20 inches and up they get very heavy to carry and store.
- Bamboo trays and plastic boards are lightweight and inexpensive, so they're a smart choice for extra-large boards or for taking a board to a party.
Large boards also take up a lot of room in the kitchen, so be sure to measure your cabinet or pantry shelf before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should a charcuterie board be?
For an appetizer, use a 12-inch board for 2 to 4 people, an 18-inch board for 5 to 8, and a 24-inch board for up to 14. If the board is the meal, go up one size.
What is a good all-purpose charcuterie board size?
There's no single standard size, but a medium board is the most versatile. A 16- to 18-inch round or a 12 × 18 rectangle handles everything from date night (with leftovers!) to a game night for eight.
What size charcuterie board do I need for 10 people?
For 10 people, use a large board: 20 to 24 inches round, or a 16 × 24 or 18 × 24 rectangle. If the board is dinner, use an extra-large board or two large boards.
What size charcuterie board do I need for 20 people?
For 20 people as an appetizer, use a board that's 30 inches or longer (like a 20 × 30), or two large boards. If it's the meal, a grazing table is easier.
What size board do I need for two people?
A 10- to 12-inch board is plenty for two. If you want the board to look full, add extra grapes or crackers that you can save for later.
Is a cheese board a different size than a charcuterie board?
No, you can use the same size guide. A cheese-only board can sometimes go a size smaller, since folded meats take up more room than cheese.
Can I use a cutting board as a charcuterie board?
Yes! Any clean wooden cutting board works. Line it with parchment if it has knife marks you'd rather hide.
How do I figure out how much food to put on the board?
Plan on 2 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of cheese per person for an appetizer, or 4 ounces of each if it's the meal. Our charcuterie calculator builds a full shopping list for your guest count.
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